Quantitative and ultrastructural study of serotonin innervation of the globus pallidus in squirrel monkeys.

The present immunohistochemical study was aimed at characterizing the serotonin (5-HT) innervation of the internal (GPi) and external (GPe) pallidal segments in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) with an antibody against the 5-HT transporter (SERT). At the light microscopic level, unbiased counts of SERT+ axon varicosities showed that the density of innervation is similar in the GPi (0.57 ± 0.

In vitro reconstruction of a tissue-engineered endothelialized bladder from a single porcine biopsy.

Objective: Augmentation of the urinary bladder using a tissue-engineered approach with autologous cells is a very promising technique. To prevent risks of necrosis after transplantation, the graft vascularization process could be markedly enhanced by incorporation of autologous endothelial cells in the tissue-engineered organ. The purpose of this study was to develop a separation technique to extract four bladder cell types from the same biopsy, and to prepare an endothelialized reconstructed bladder.

Quantitative method to evaluate the functionality of the trigeminal nerve.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to yield normal range values, with a current perception threshold technique, that could be used to assess the functionality of the third division of the trigeminal nerve on a healthy population. Moreover, we wanted to evaluate the impact of gender and training on these values.

Patients And Methods: Standardized current perception threshold (CPT) measures using constant alternating current sinusoid waveform stimulus at 5, 250, and 2,000 HZ were obtained from 50 healthy patients at the mental foramen area bilaterally using a Neurometer current perception threshold device (Neurotron Inc, Baltimore, MD) (2,000 Hz specifically stimulates Abeta fibers, 250 Hz Adelta fibers, and 5 Hz stimulates C fibers).

Differentiation of human adult skin-derived neuronal precursors into mature neurons.

The isolation of autologous neuronal precursors from skin-derived precursor cells extracted from adult human skin would be a very efficient source of neurons for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that these neuronal precursors were able to differentiate into mature neurons. We isolated neuronal precursors from breast skin and expanded them in vitro for over ten passages.

In vivo enhancement of sensory perception recovery in a tissue-engineered skin enriched with laminin.

The use of autologous reconstructed skin appears to be a promising treatment for the permanent coverage of deep and extensive burns. However, the capability of reconstructed skin transplanted on wounds to promote recovery of sensory perception is a major concern. Our aim was to assess the effect of laminin on cutaneous nerve regeneration.